Despite its work, the agency isn't often mentioned in obituaries, Prittie said.

"When you are the beneficiary of donations when someone has died, it's such a hard thing. You just hope that the family is comforted that the generosity people show in honoring their loved one will help someone else."

Memorial donations for the homicide victims can be made to Project Safe, P.O. Box 7532, Athens, GA 30606.